Riva del Garda

I went here with my family last summer. We drove up to Riva del Garda (took the counter clockwise circle), stopped at Riva del Garda for lunch and then drove down the west side. It was a good day trip. You can then stop at more than one places of course. This article was written for me and I publish it here.

Riva del Garda

(Riva del Garda is C, Desenzano is D. I put in Malcecine B in there to get the circle around the lake because the map uses only the shortest route and that is the west side. If I wouldn´t have added B the map would only have showed the road on the west side )

Most visitors are drawn to Lake Garda for the spectacular scenery and natural beauty of the area. Riva del Garda is just such a place as it straggles along the north-western shore against a backdrop of spectacular mountains.

Riva del Garda only began its claim to fame in the latter part of the 19th century, but since then its popularity has spread far and wide. Riva is one of the leading tourist spots along Lake Garda today. It offers not only beautiful scenery but a wealth of history dating back to the Middle Ages with ancient castles, towers and city walls still proudly standing today. Once part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, it has been influenced by many cultures, which are evident in the history and architecture seen today.

The Piazza III Novembre is the impressive town square encompassing the Apponale Tower and the Palazzo Pretorio with its 14th century porticos. The Tower was built as a defense; has been used to store precious salt and grain; was a former prison and during World War 1 became an observation tower.

The Civic Museum is an interesting attraction within the old town. It sits on the Lake surrounded by a canal-moat with an interesting draw-bridge. It includes an art gallery, a museum of weapons and a rare book collection. It is housed in the old Fort, or Rocca, which was built in the 12th century and renovated by the Austrians in 1852.

Just outside the town is the charming St. Tommaso Church with its quaint bell-shaped tower and tiny mullioned windows. Once again this building has been put to some interesting uses, such as formerly being a Lepers Hospital which was run by the friars.

A final recommendation of must-see places in Riva del Garda is the Bastion. This Venetian fortress has some of the best views of the city and the northern part of Lake Garda.